High school football top-25 preseason rankings

High school football season is approaching quickly and teams are already preparing to push themselves to the limit this fall. Last year's stars have moved on, but new favorites are sure to rise during the 2012 high school football season. Will last year's state champions Hurricane (3A), Logan (4A) and Lone Peak (5A) repeat? Or will new champions be crowned? We'll find out soon.
Click through to find out who we've ranked no. 1.

25
Juan Diego

2011 Record: 10-2. Playoffs: Lost to Spanish Fork in 3A quarterfinals

Outlook: Despite the early exit from the playoffs a year ago, Juan Diego is still one of the elite teams in 3A. This season the Soaring Eagle will count on a strong linebacking core led Dakota Cox and Walker Kauhaahaa. Opener: at Salem Hills, Aug. 17.

24
Viewmont

2011 Record: 8-4. Playoffs: Lost to Jordan in 5A quarterfinals

Outlook: A year after winning the Region 2 title, coach Brad Lloyd believes this year might be a rebuilding year for the Vikings with only a handful of starters returning on both sides of the ball. Opener: vs. Woods Cross, Aug. 17.

23
Woods Cross

2011 Record: 4-6. Playoffs: Lost to Timpview in 4A first round

Outlook: New coach Justin Spencer inherits a quality team that's led by defensive back Sean Barton, but nothing will come easy in the very difficult Region 6. Opener: at Viewmont, Aug. 17.

Outlook: Returns roughly half its starters from last season, which should be good enough to stay competitive in Region 4 and try and secure a playoff spot behind Bingham and Lone Peak. Opener: vs. Hillcrest, Aug. 17.

20
Orem

2011 Record: 5-6. Playoffs: Lost to East in 4A first round

Outlook: Quarterback Taylor Camp threw for more than 2,600 yards as a junior last season, and he's back and poised to lead the Tigers to new heights under second-year coach Tyler Anderson. Opener: vs. Herriman, Aug. 17.

19
Skyline

2011 Record: 7-4. Playoffs: Lost to East in 4A quarterfinals

Outlook: Steve Marlowe takes over as head coach for the legendary Roger DuPaix, but don't expect much to change. Marlowe was a long-time assistant under DuPaix, and the Eagles will continue to run the option offense. Opener: at Hurricane, Aug. 17.

18
Brighton

2011 Record: 5-4. Playoffs: Lost to Fremont in 5A first round

Outlook: Started numerous youngsters on the offensive and defensive lines last year, which should benefit the Bengals tremendously a year later as coach Ryan Bullett expects to have a strong rushing attack. Opener: at Davis, Aug. 17.

17
Highland

2011 Record: 7-4. Playoffs: Lost to Logan in 4A quarterfinals

Outlook: This year's Highland team may not be as talented as the 2010 state title team, but coach Brody Benson expects this year's inexperienced group to be very competitive as usual. Opener: vs. West, Aug. 17.

16
Northridge

2011 Record: 8-4. Playoffs: Lost to Lone Peak in 5A quarterfinals

Outlook: Davy Adams had a monster season last year for the Knights, but he's the lone returning starter for a Northridge team that nearly pulled off the upset of eventual state champion Lone Peak in the quarterfinals last year. Opener: at Logan, Aug. 17.

15
Mountain Crest

2011 Record: 6-5. Playoffs: Lost to Westlake in 4A first round

Outlook: No one ever handed out a trophy for summer 7-on-7 success, but the Mustangs were absolutely dominant this summer, winning every passing camp they entered. That bodes well for Mountain Crest in 2012 . Opener: vs. Mountain View, Aug. 17.

14
Herriman

2011 Record: 8-4. Playoffs: Lost to Logan in 4A first round

Outlook: Year three is often when new programs make their biggest strides, and that should again be the case for Herriman with its six returning offensive starters and eight defensive starters. Opener: at Orem, Aug. 17.

13
Hurricane

2011 Record: 13-0. Playoffs: Beat Desert Hills in 3A championship

Outlook: One Region 9 coach suggested that reigning 3A champ Hurricane might be even better this year. That's a scary thought. The Tigers return half their defensive starters, a great foundation to build as they seek a repeat. Opener: vs. Skyline, Aug. 17.

12
Bountiful

2011 Record: 8-5. Playoffs: Lost to Logan in 4A semifinals

Outlook: A 4A semifinalist last year, the Braves should be a factor in Region 6 and 4A again this year, led by returning first-team all-state linebacker Rylee Gautavai. Opener: vs. Lone Peak, Aug. 17.

11
Fremont

2011 Record: 10-3. Playoffs: Lost to Lone Peak in 5A championship

Outlook: The 5A runner-up the past two seasons, Fremont is a bit of an unknown this season with only a handful of returning starters on each side of the ball. As the past two years have proved though, coach Kory Bosgieter will have his kids ready to compete. Opener: vs. Jordan, Aug. 17.

10
Cottonwood

2011 Record: 5-5. Playoffs: Lost to Northridge in 5A first round

Outlook: It's been a whirlwind offseason for the Colts, but the constant through it all is the reality that Alabama-bound quarterback Cooper Bateman is still leading the way. Opener: at Logan, Aug. 24.

9
Timpview

2011 Record: 10-3. Playoffs: Lost to East in 4A semifinals

Outlook: Controversy surrounded the Timpview program all offseason, but new coach Cary Whittingham is hoping to steer the program back on track. Having QB Jake Lloyd back after passing for 2,405 yards and 27 TDs last year will help immensely. Opener: vs. Alta, Aug. 17.

8
Syracuse

2011 Record: 8-4. Playoffs: Lost to Fremont in 5A semifinals

Outlook: A surprise semifinalist a year ago, the Titans should be right in the thick of the Region 1 and 5A race this season with quality starters returning on both sides of the ball. Opener: vs. Desert Hills, Aug. 17.

7
Jordan

2011 Record: 10-3. Playoffs: Lost to Lone Peak in 5A semifinals

Outlook: Austin Kafentzis burst onto the scene as a freshman last year, and with all five offensive linemen returning, Jordan should be right in the hunt for the 5A title again this year. Opener: at Fremont, Aug. 17.

6
Davis

2011 Record: 5-4. Playoffs: Lost to Jordan in 5A first round

Outlook: Lacks much returning experience offensively, but it makes up for it defensively with five starters returning. Davis has been blown out by Jordan in the first round the past two years, and if the Darts have any chance of being competitive this year, the defense will need to play much better in the big games. Opener: vs. Brighton, Aug. 17.

5
Alta

2011 Record: 9-2. Playoffs: Lost to Syracuse in 5A first round

Outlook: Despite the graduation of numerous starters, and several who are moving on to play college football, Alta has proven through the years that it's a program that doesn't rebuild, it reloads. Opener: at Timpview, Aug. 17.

4
East

2011 Record: 12-2. Playoffs: Lost to Logan in 4A championship

Outlook: Came up agonizingly short in last year's 4A championship game, but this year's team has the potential to take that next step with eight offensive starters and six defensive starters returning. Opener: vs. Pine View, Aug. 17.

3
Logan

2011 Record: 14-0. Playoffs: Beat East in 4A championship

Outlook: With 13 returning starters, the defending 4A champs are poised for another dominant season. It must find a way to replace 4A MVP DJ Nelson, but Luke Falk is more than capable of a dominant season in his own right. Opener: vs. Northridge, Aug. 17.

2
Lone Peak

2011 Record: 14-0. Playoffs: Beat Fremont in 5A championship

Outlook: The defending 5A champs will lean heavily on an experienced defense this season while an offense with mostly newcomers figures things out. With the graduation of Mr. Football recipient Chase Hansen, Lone Peak may end up handing the QB reins over to Jordan transfer Baron Gajkowski. Opener: at Bountiful, Aug. 17.

1
Bingham

2011 Record: 9-3. Playoffs: Lost to Fremont in 5A quarterfinals

Outlook: Following a surprisingly early exit from the playoffs a year ago, expectations are sky high for the Miners heading into 2012, as five players have already received scholarship offers from Division I programs. Opener: at West Jordan, Aug. 17.